There isn’t much wrong with this movie when one looks at the technical and creative choices made. I can split hairs over the lack of practical jungles (it’s not hard to film in them; films of old have had to shoot in them) I can even split hairs over the lack of a main score to hum to yourself for years to come much akin to anything made by John Williams. I could even say that the action to the film is a tad slower than I’d like. But these things are minimal hairs to split over…

Black panther comes at the right time when you objectively look at our current modern history. Black Panther certainly gives viewers something they haven’t seen in a hero flick before.

What could possibly be fresh from a studio who has shown us both space and Asgard(and made it believable)? Black Kings, Queens, Black Princesses and a plethora of Royal armies and families from An African nation.

I remember when Kevin Feige said that creating Wakanda was a challenge because they don’t think audiences would believe in the idea of Wakanda (being such a powerful, proud, profitable African nation I imagine). Pre-sale numbers have shown people are ready. I can’t begin to describe the joy I got watching a black film like this. For a brief, moment lets appreciate that a black director got to tell the story of an African King with a healthy number of black cast and key crew members, in Atlanta of all places. There’s a joy from not seeing slaves, addicts, or thugs in a high-profile film. Yes! These tropes exist and ought to be represented as well. But, if ever there was a historic site for all movies ever made, we have made enough for the next 50 years of black hardships from the slave era to the crack baby. We have other stories too! and Ryan Coogler did one hell of a job to bring our truths, our impressions of self, and bring up questions about why certain things didn’t happen post slavery.

Even if you feel like you will only root for the hero because of the hero being right, this film asks the viewer for a moment to ponder the motivation behind the flick’s “Big bad” in Eric Killmonger (M.B.Jordan). If you haven’t been living in Latveria, you know that there’s been a steady movement in the US of A called Black Lives Matter. Main news media outlets and the woefully ignorant, would love for you to believe they’re a militia group who solely believe that blacks and ONLY the lives of blacks matter. That they are ready to kill like other blacks have been killed by the boys in blue. In truth what they are simply saying is “Hey, you know we see how you have been treating our race, as opposed to others…. right?!” (How this concept is lost on some is beyond me but here’s a picture of MBJ in a suit).

SO. All that said, Killmonger’s motives are that which the media would have you believe. But he’s not wrong in just his methods aren’t democratic. I Kinda hoped his character won in a way. T’Challa on the other hand was very much more poise. He has a long-term goal that wont impede on the world, but rather co-exist with the rest of the world. Where Killmonger wants his comeuppance to be immediate almost akin to Magneto aka Malcolm X, T’Challa is very much a calculated individual who understands that, that way of thinking does no one any help and is much more akin to MLK/ Professor X . No one wants a tyrannical leader, regardless of race. the leading men both give portrayals that can be seen from a multitude of perspectives. it is something that can be enough of a reason to see this film multiple times before it makes its home viewing debut. Killmonger’s best scene was the museum. There was a lot of truth in those words. and I feel hd a great flair of improv on the tail end. I hope he takes on more villainous roles
T’Challa with his father just felt so organic. Eerily familiar to Lion King
Danai’s character, Okoye, is catching flak for not being like the Source Material. Look I understand how important representation is. BUT WITH THAT SAID, can we not?! The movie ‘ about her, her sexuality is only relevant for the means of making a certain scene come to an end in the back half of the film. There will be sequels and I’m sure something can be done. That said, Danai seems to get some of the best bad ass roles. Her Korea scene is definitely some of her finest work action wise. she’s so good in this film its hard to pinpoint her stand out scene, but I’d argue it being the loyalty scene with Nakia.
Lupita’s Nakia does well with her role. I loved that she seemed to give new meaning behind the old saying “behind every great man…” in many ways she is T’Challa’s equal minus the powers.

There’s so much talent in this film. Honourable mentions come from the two Caribbean actors playing Shuri (Letitia Wright, Guyana) and M’Baku (Winston Duke, Trinidad) the two added much-needed grounded comedy after the not really needed over the top comedy in Thor Ragnarök. I hope to see them in more roles in the MCU or even becoming stars in their own right.

In no way was anyone Oscar worthy(acting) here but there was considerable effort from everyone (Hi, Ms Basset).

Where the film is able to excel is that in turth, Black Panther is relatively unknown to many. So liberties can be taken ll thruout

As far as Comic book films go, This isn’t Chris Reeves superman bar setting, but it definitely sets itself to be among the most favoured on an ‘all-time’ list. At the end of the day its a great film, one that MCU had in the making since Iron Man 2 (Fury, Stark, Bunker scene) and have been teasing ever since. It’s about time this particular film was made. I’m happy with whom the studio got to tell this story. I just wish they didn’t do the Marvel thing and Spoiler: Kill their villains all the time.

Overall rating of the movie: 9.4 out of 10,

Cinematography: 8 out of 10,

Editing: 8.8 out of 10,

Audio: 8.5 out of 10,

Acting: 9 out of 10,

Theatres or wait for the B? IMAX or nothing. The costume dept alone is worthwhile in Imax. But grab the blu-ray.. I want a sequel.

The Illuminati has been a force for some time in the marvel universe, aka, Earth-616.

Ever since the Kree-Skrull war, smartest men of the Marvel universe have been behind a lot of the major events in the brand’s history, most notably, the Skrull Invasion, and Civil War. Now, with the aftermath of AVX, comes a change of writers from @BRIANMBENDIS (Brian M.. Bendis) to Jonathan Hickman (Hickman is currently writing both “New Avengers” and “Avengers”)

If you get the “Marvel AR” app, you can scan this and get a lil back story

The story starts off with a contest in Wakanda, only to be interrupted by a raging rhino who seems to come from no where, which leads to a parallel universe and the introduction of a lady by the name of: Black Swan. Her powers and importance have yet to be determined, but whatever Black Panther walked in to, he needs the help of Reed Richards, Tony Stark, Namor, Black Bolt, Dr. Stephen Strange…. And Captain America?

I didn’t read any of the side Avx stories, so seeing Captain America was shocking… Not as shocking, however, to see Namor after the events of Avx#8.. Since it’s the first issue, it’s really just to feel out the agenda. This issue works best if you just read what’s in front of you, and don’t try to figure anything out. I have never once read a single issue of anything Black Panther (well, his solo stories) so the first few pages were confusing to me, but, I let it happen. This story feels very much like what Hickman is doing with his run on Avengers. It’s not bad, but one reason I feel Bendis’ run works, is because it all felt grounded or tethered to something going on in each and everyone’s solo story. Much less, that if you were reading a crossover event, it was almost paramount that you checked out one of the ‘Avengers’ books (regular, new, or even dark after secret invasion) to get the full scope of it all.

Steve Epting draws this book and does some inking (Rick Magyar possibly does the bulk, with Frank D’Armata the colour artist) . He is a delight to see in person actually. He really takes the time to get in a lot of detail into his pencil work. I believe this is the first pairing between Hickman and Epting, and so far, it’s pretty decent stuff.

Overall, the pacing was decent and the art is beyond impressive. I’m curious to see how Black Panther can tolerate Namor over his childhood love, Storm, post Avx. Only time will tell.

“Scott, I’m saying this as clearly as I can… Stop this or I will stop you” -Prof X.

Namor has brought a wet hellish fury upon Wakanda, the Avengers aren’t totally prepared, Cap.A & BP(Black Panther) lead the charge. Iron Man grabs Lei Kung thru a Portal back to Kun Lun. Where Hope & Logan had just arrived. Namor fights with Cap.A, fitting since Namor was the one to find Cap.A in the ice, years & years ago. Iron Fist tries to help, but is thwarted, BP tries to use Namor’s Turned back against him, Namor seems to be willing to give a finishing blow, (of course there’s that egotistical dialogue to show how strong he is) but BP, and Cap.A were stalling.. For the Arrival of Earth’s Mightiest. Else where, Cyclops becomes aware of Namor’s actions & prepares to head to Wakanda. Even though Namor breaks the ones who seem to be unbreakable, Cap.A Sends in the biggest Gun, Wanda Maximoff to the final blow, she’s successful, but as he falls and the fighting seems to have stopped.. All the hero’s question if its a win. & just as they do the rest of the PHX.5 arrive, the hero’s retreat, & some how, the X-men absorb the Phoenix Force from Namor, thus making them the PHX 4. “How dare you Scott Summers” says Charles Xavier (Prof. X) mentally. He tells Cyclops to stop or he himself will stop him. When the heroes get to Kun Lun, they realize that it took every single one of them, to beat Namor, and that each time one of them falls, the PHX. Force will just go back to one of the remaining members of the PHX.4. To be continued.

Bendis wrote a great issue. Which is normal. I swear he can rarely do wrong in my eyes and even if he does, I know its really to set something else up. I believe Bendis is amazing at handling a great sum of characters, he’s proven that with his landmark run on the two main Avengers titles. (Marvel needs to keep it at 2 Avengers… 3 at max) the characters that do talk, actually have something to lose and also have a history. Mostly Cap.A & BP, though I do wish BP had more lines since it was his country being destroyed. As I’ve said before I don’t know how much influence a writer has on what is actually drawn, in the way it is. But if he had a hand in it, then that makes him even better.

Adam Kubert, has this wicked style that I can appreciate more each time because there’s often MANY GAPS is how often I see it. He has this (as I interpret) style that seems almost like a well done sketch. Like he goes says ok Ill’ draw this roughly and then tada, its perfect. Ok maybe not literally. But.. It seems that way. My fave moments by him is the first page, the above Alternate cover, the first time we see the Avengers Vs Namor the Rulk moment,and the telepathy between Prof.X and Cyclops. They all had this great epic moment to it. I do like the way the mini fight between Wanda and Namor was handled in the panels. Its hard to have a “fight” in a comic book. But may have been the best thing I’ve seen in some time. (Though not this series).

The weight of the conversation between Prof. X and Cyclops is just huge. Remember Scott was an orphan and he has basically always known Prof.X for everything. From teaching him how to control his powers, to helping him deal with the loss of Jean Grey and everything in between. Its also such a menacing scene when you look at it. Look out for #9 PEACE!